of Jupiter and Saturn; and this investigation, involving a vast amount of labor, 

 will run through the historical period of that planet. There are recent indica- 

 tions that such a work has been begun by Adams ; if, however, it should not be 

 accomplished on the other side of the water, it will be undertaken by Professor 

 Peirce at his earliest leisure. 



I will cite, in conclusion, a passage from Lindenau, relating to the discov- 

 ery of Neptune, expressing an opinion, entertained, as I believe, by the best 

 authorities on the continent of Europe and in this country : " I cannot so well 

 agree with the view of the President of the Astronomical Society, when he 

 treats the merits of Le Verrier and Adams, in the discovery of Neptune, as fra- 

 ternal ; for, leaving out of the question the peculiarities in their modes of pro- 

 ceeding, there is still an important difference in the fact, that the one came out 

 boldly and quickly witli his presumed discovery, while the other only communi- 

 cated the similar result of his labors confidentially to a few friends. The fact 

 that the French, English, Prussian, and German astronomers had no great con- 

 fidence in Le Verrier's theoretical place of Neptune, is shown by the delay in 

 searching for it ; and Challis, who had first undertaken the search in a system- 

 atic manner, says : ' I confess that in the whole of the undertaking I had too 

 little confidence in the indications of theory, though, perhaps, not less than most 

 other astronomers might have felt under the same circumstances.' (Mem. of 

 the Astro. Soc, Vol. XIV, p. '224.") 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



CHARLES HENRY DAVIS 



1850. April 5th. 



